UCSF-UCLA WISe Collaborative

UCSF-UCLA Wellbeing in Surgery

Advancing surgical wellbeing. Transforming surgical culture. Improving patient outcomes.

Surgeons face increasing demands—long hours, high-stakes environments, and growing administrative burden. The WISe collaborative brings together a community of clinicians, researchers, and leaders to develop and implement solutions that support sustainable, fulfilling surgical careers.

About Us

We believe improving wellbeing in surgery requires more than awareness—it demands coordinated action, evidence-based solutions, and cultural transformation.

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Our Work

We prioritize Direct Intervention, Community, Scholarship, and Advocacy. We create sustainable wellbeing solutions, cultivate connection across the surgical world, generate insights that reshape practice, and equip leaders to champion transformative change.

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Get Involved

Be part of a movement to transform the culture of surgery. Help build a more sustainable future for surgical care. We welcome individuals and institutions committed to improving surgical wellbeing.

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Why It Matters

Surgical practice is uniquely demanding. Persistent exposure to high pressure, long hours, and administrative strain has led to rising rates of burnout, reduced quality of life, and worsening mental and emotional health among surgeons.

These challenges don’t exist in isolation—they directly impact team dynamics, healthcare systems, and patient outcomes.

Improving wellbeing in surgery—through professional fulfillment, mental health support, and sustainable work practices—is essential to building a healthier surgical workforce and delivering better care.

Who We Are

The WISe Collaborative is a growing, multidisciplinary network leading efforts to improve wellbeing in surgery across institutions and beyond.

We bring together surgeons, trainees, researchers, and healthcare professionals to address systemic challenges through research, innovation, and collaboration through national and international partnerships.

Our Mission

To bring surgeons and other providers of surgical care together to discover and disseminate tools that advance the field of surgical wellbeing.

Our Vision

To be leaders in developing and delivering high-value interventions that improve wellbeing in surgery and enhance patient outcomes through research, collaboration, implementation, and advocacy.

Our Goals

Advance sustainable wellbeing solutions, foster collaboration across the surgical community, translate research into practice, and empower leaders to drive meaningful change at every level of care.

WISe Leadership

Veronica Sullins, MD, FACS, FAAP

Assistant Clinical Professor Pediatric Surgery at UCLA

Carter Lebares, MD, FACS, MAMSE

Associate Clinical Professor at UCSF

Our Approach

In line with our goals, we address surgical wellbeing through 4 interconnected domains:

Direct Intervention

We develop and implement evidence-based, sustainable solutions tailored to address the diverse wellbeing needs of surgeons and surgical professionals.

Community

We foster an inclusive surgical community that spans specialties, career stages, and practice settings, ensuring collaboration and connection.

Scholarship

We lead high-quality research efforts to advance the understanding of wellbeing in surgery, translating findings into actionable strategies.

Advocacy

We empower surgeons and surgical leadership to champion wellbeing initiatives and affect transformative change across systems, institutions, and policies.